Briggs eyes first-team return

02 March 2011 02:30

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Matthew Briggs has targeted a regular place in Fulham's starting XI after revealing that he is close to making a comeback from a three-month injury layoff.
The 19-year-old has only made three appearances since coming through the youth ranks at Craven Cottage but Mark Hughes underlined his faith in the youngster by handing him a three-and-a-half year contract extension, which he signed on Tuesday.
Briggs started against Port Vale, Chelsea and Arsenal this season before he suffered a serious calf problem against the Gunners in December.
He is now back in full training after having an operation and hopes to persuade Hughes that he deserves to be first-choice left-back ahead of Carlos Salcido and Chris Baird.
"Picking up the injury was gutting for me, but I'm hoping to get back in the match-day squad again before the end of the season and get a few games," he said.